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KMID : 1039220170270030170
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Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
2017 Volume.27 No. 3 p.170 ~ p.179
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Occupational Radiation Exposure of Emergency Medical Technicians in Emergency Medical Centers in Korea
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Lee Hyeon-Kyeong
Park Jeong-Im
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Abstract
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Objectives: This study aims to investigate the occupational radiation exposures of emergency medical technicians(EMTs) in emergency medical centers in Korea. The results will provide a basis for developing prevention programs to minimize adverse health effects relating to radiation exposure among emergency medical technicians working in this area.
Methods: Radiation exposure doses were measured for twenty-two EMTs working in six emergency medical centers. Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters(TLD) were placed on three representative body parts, including chest, neck, and a finger. Measurements were conducted over the entire working hours of the participants for foor weeks. Dosimeters were analyzed according to a standard method by a KFDA-designated lab. Detection rate, annual radiation exposure dose, and relative levels to dose limit were derived based on the measured doses from the dosimeters. SPSS/Win 18.0 software(IBM, US) was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Detection rates were 45.5%, 36.4%, and 45.5% for the dosimeters sampled from chest, neck, and a finger, respectively. The average annual doses were 2.39±3.44 mSv/year(range 0.38-10.0 mSv/year) for the chest, 2.72±3.05 mSv/year(2.00-11.34) for the neck, and 20.98±17.57 mSv/year(1.25-53.50) for the hand dose. The average annual eye dose was estimated to 3.61±2.37 mSv/year(1.50-8.34). The exposure dose levels of EMTs were comparable to those of radiologists, who showed relatively higher radiation dose among health care workers, as reported in another study.
Conclusions: EMTs working in emergency medical centers are considered to be at risk of radiation exposure. Although the radiation exposure dose of EMTs does not exceed the dose limit, it is not negligible comparing to other professionals in health care sectors.
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KEYWORD
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emergency medical center, emergency medical technician(EMT), occupational radiation exposure
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